home prisoners of war. A lamentable consideration. O that we have an
administration so regardless of Public Opinion as to appoint a man that had long
regarded as an English tool but I must drop this degrading subject. Yesterday afternoon Capt Stedger [?] by my orders marched to Mansfield with about 30 men. There is now no use in marching to Cleveland all the reserve are there in mass and no enemy there. I have now determined to march to the westward with what men I can collect. Nothing has been heard from Rowland but that he was often attacked by Indians in his retreat and of his succeeding in beating them off but his ultimate fate unknown. Brock would make no stipulation for the preventing the Indians from hostilities. I don’t know what situation I may be placed in in disobeying your positive orders but the responsibility I must meet because I think the public good calls aloud for the measure as the greatest Panic prevails to this situation and I am afraid that the people will move in ____________